Officials are probing how a 51-year-old highway bridge came to collapse in the Italian port city of Genoa yesterday, killing at least 26 people and injuring 16 others as it sent dozens of vehicles tumbling into a heap of concrete and twisted steel.

Related Articles

He said since suffering the bite, Eli has also been suffering seizures.

Mr Hyland said Eli’s mother is being credited with saving her son, after she quickly bandaged the wound and called paramedics.

Max Jackson from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers told 9news.com.au coastal taipans are considered to be the third most venomous snake in the world and untreated bites have a mortality rate of 100 percent.

“Generally coastal taipans have good eyesight and see people coming so they get out of the way, but they’ll bite if they get caught off guard,” he said.

Mr Jackson said the snake was likely searching for rats or mice when it became frightened by the toddler.

“Being a two-year-old it’s amazing that he is still alive,” Mr Jackson said.

A coastal taipan. (Photo: Australian Museum) ()

Eli’s parents are currently “hunkered down” by his side in the Brisbane hospital, Mr Hyland said.

Mr Hyland launched a campaign to help Eli’s parents pay for medical bills, with more than $13,000 raised.

“They are almost 500km from home shacked up in a hotel with Eli still on semi-life support. I just thought something had to be done. The community is in shock.”

His parents said any excess funds “will be donated to one of the multiple organisations who’ve helped them along the way”.